A critically acclaimed mangaka, noted for psychological storytelling and well-rounded characters which defy and subvert many anime and manga tropes. Writes extremely good suspense, but is not solely limited to the thriller genre. Excellent, detailed artwork, notable for Casts Of Snowflakes (within a single manga, at any rate, as he is also one of the most prolific users of the Reused Character Design concept since his idol, Osamu Tezuka). Also has an affinity for Jigsaw Puzzle Plots, often introducing new characters and plot points long before revealing their significance. And big noses.

Also notable for writing complex, fleshed out, and realistic characters even when they are based on himself, and for a tendency to have his major characters' names begin with the sound K.